| 2025 Arab League Summit | |
|---|---|
| Host country |  Iraq |
| Date | May 17, 2025 |
| Cities | Baghdad |
| Participants | 20 out of 22 |
| Chair | Abdul Latif Rashid |
| Follows | 2024 Arab League summit |
| Precedes | 2026 Arab League summit |
| Website | summit.iq |
The 2025 Arab League summit, officially the 34th Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit Level, was a meeting of heads of state and government of member states of the League of Arab States that took place in Baghdad, Iraq on 17 May 2025. [1]
Iraqi president Abdul Latif Rashid announced during his speech at the 33rd Arab League summit, in Manama, Bahrain, that Iraq will host the summit for 2025. [2]
When invitations to the summit were issued, controversy arose regarding the invitation of Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa due to his former ties to Al-Qaeda in Iraq and his role in the Iraqi insurgency. [3] On 13 May 2025, al-Sharaa declined the invitation; it was decided Syria's delegation will be headed by foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani. [3]
Iraqi authorities banned protests and demonstrations from 11–20 May. [4]
On May 15, 2025, the Foreign Ministers of member states met to finalize the summit agenda and highlighted the important topics that need to be addressed, which included the situation in Palestine, national security and counter-terrorism in the Arab world. [5]
The Arab League also invited Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Spain was the only European country present at the summit. [6] The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, as well as Luigi Di Maio, the European Union Special Representative for the Gulf also participated. In addition, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission as well as the Secretary-Generals of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and Gulf Cooperation Council participated. [7] Libya was the only Arab League members not to participate.
The summit's main agenda revolved around the ongoing war in Palestine. The final declaration urged Arab countries and international organizations to support the creation of an Arab Solidarity Fund supervised by the Arab League, for the reconstruction of Gaza and Lebanon. The declaration highlighted the devastation of the Gaza strip and the importance of rebuilding Gaza while rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians. Iraq pledged a contribution of $20m towards the reconstruction fund for Gaza, and another $20m for Lebanon, which has also been effected by the war with Israel. [16]
Iraq also unveiled several initiatives headed by Iraq to bolster Arab coordination on matters of national security, namely with the founding of the Joint Arab Security Coordination Chamber, as well as establishing a number of joint coordination centres to combat terrorism, narcotics, as well as transnational crime, all headquartered in Baghdad. [17]
On the developmental front, Iraq suggested establishing a "common Arab mechanism for assessing developmental performance" in terms of social development indicators, stressing that "it is necessary to move to invest in the knowledge economy [of Arab nations], as it represents an opportunity for development." Iraq also proposed establishing the Arab Centre for Artificial Intelligence, in Baghdad. [17]
On the economic front, Iraq suggested the formation of an intra-Arab business council named the Council of Arab Trade Ministers to coordinate on matters of commerce that can benefit Arab countries; such as, by launching the Arab Economic Reform Covenant initiative for the next decade, which includes providing an integrated and shared investment environment, trade liberalisation, and the establishment of free trade zones. The covenant includes the development of road networks infrastructure, railways and renewable energy facilities, and the promotion of industrial and agricultural integration, through the establishment of joint industrial cities. Furthermore, Iraq urged other Arab countries to join the Development Road project. [17] [18]
On the environmental front, Iraq announced the Arab Initiative to Achieve Food Security, and the Baghdad Initiative to Enhance Arab Cooperation in Facing Environmental Challenges and Climate Change, including by providing a safe haven for those affected by disasters as well as enhancing Arab housing security. Iraq also proposed establishing the Financial Action Group for the Middle East and North Africa, and the Financial Intelligence Unit Group, and the Arab Centre for the Protection of the Environment from War Remnants. [17]
On the cultural front, Iraq suggested establishing the Arab Council for Cultural Interaction between Arab States. [17]
| Pre-1964 | |
|---|---|
| 1964–1979 | |
| 1980–1999 |
|
| 2000–2019 |
|
| 2020–2039 | |
Italics indicate extraordinary meetings. | |
